Biography
John Franklyn Norris was born on September 18, 1877, in Dadeville, Alabama. His father was an alcoholic but his mother seems to have been deeply religious. His family settled in Hill County, Texas, around 1888. He was converted at the age of thirteen in a Baptist camp meeting. He attended both Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 1905, Norris accepted the pastorate of McKinney Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. In 1907, he resigned when he bought and managed The Baptist Standard, a denominational newspaper. He left this position in 1909 and accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, TX. In 1935, he made a bold move by being pastor simultaneously of a second church, Temple Baptist Church in Detroit, MI.
While in Fort Worth, Norris’ ministry took a controversial turn. He adopted new methods that were seen as “sensational” and began to aggressively attack sin, sinners, local leaders, denominational leaders, and even friends. Norris and his church attracted great crowds, but were alienated from most denominational groups.
Controversy wasn’t just limited to his pulpit either. In 1912, the church auditorium was destroyed in a fire. Norris was charged with arson and perjury in connection with the fire, but was acquitted. On July 17, 1926, Norris shot an intoxicated man named D. E. Chipps in the church office. He was charged with murder but the next year was found not guilty on grounds of self defense. The church was again destroyed in a fire in 1929 that was ruled arson but no one was ever charged.
Norris is also known for the spectacular growth of his churches, both in Fort Worth and in Detroit. Regardless of the numbers in Norris’ propaganda, his churches were easily in the, if not the, largest in America. He was also a pioneer in radio evangelism, editor of his own paper, founder of Bible Baptist Seminary, and a leader of the Fundamentalist movement.
Much of his ministerial empire had eroded away when he died in 1952. Today he is remembered more for controversies and attacks than souls won or lives touched.
Where do you begin with J. Frank Norris? I do not know of a more controversial figure among Baptists in America yet he may just be the most fascinating figure at the same time. He could take valiant stands for truth yet fight those battles in such a way that even his allies would be alienated from him. Most people I come across today merely know him as the preacher that shot and killed a man or maybe for the legendary attacks he let loose from pulpit and press. Yet he was a beloved hero to many and accomplished things few other preachers can match. The complexity of his life and ministry will no doubt continue to be studied and debated for generations to come. – MBG
Sermons by J. Frank Norris
- But God – 1936
- Fifteen Signs of the Second Coming of Christ – 1933(?)
- Individual Immortality – 1947
- Inside the Cup – Parts I and II – 1930
- Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled – 1933
- Lord, Thou Knowest All Things – 1933(?)
- Present Grace and the Ages to Come
- Salvation by Grace
- The Battle of Armageddon – 1933(?)
- The Eternal Christmas
- The Fear of Death and How to Overcome It – 1934
- The Jew in History – 1933?
- The King Who Abdicated His Throne
- The New Birth – 1933
- The Prodigal Son – 1933
- The Unpardonable Sin – 1933(?)
- The Wages of Sin
- To Die is Gain – 1933?
- Where Does the Soul Go at Death? – 1933
- World Wide Sweep of Russian Bolshevism and Its Relation to the Second Coming of Christ -1933(?)
- Your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost – 1947
More Resources
- Sulphur Springs Revival Newspaper Articles – 1917
- D.E. Chipps Business Letter – 1917
- Texas Merry Go Round Article – 1933
- The Church that is Different and Why – 1934
- New Dealism (Russian Communism) Exposed – 1935?
- Did the Jews Write the Protocols? – 1938?
- Infidelity Among Southern Baptists Endorsed by Highest Officials – 1945?
- Americanism – Address to the Texas State Legislature – April 20, 1949
- The Fundamentalist – June 9, 1950
- Excerpts from Blazing the Trail – 1993